We woke to the sound of monkeys scurrying across our thatch roof!
Breakfast:
Shoki-shoki, which is a strange looking reddish furry fruit with a beautiful pearl colored fleshy fruit and a pit inside (it's a cousin of the lychee); lots of mango; pineapple; coffee with milk; some kind of cheese pastry with a curried vegetable filling; grilled tomatoes, zucchini, and eggplant (the zucchini was delicious); dates; orange sections; and a pinwheel pastry with sesame seeds
After breakfast we went to the dive shack to get fitted for wetsuits and flippers. Nate's first time snorkeling! Mike-the-dive-shack-director introduced us to our crew: Babu and another guide, who's name I've forgotten. After we finished selecting our suits and signing some paperwork, we went down to the beach to board our own private dhow. A third crew member, who spoke very good English, greeted us and helped us aboard.
We sailed south toward a cluster of small islands, chatting and enjoying the sun along the way. Our crew waved to other boaters. Soon we came across a small gathering of three or four other dhows that had stopped to watch a group of dolphins playing nearby. We had read that swimming with the dolphins is a popular tourist activity, but b/c it's not regulated it has become a threat to the dolphins. We were glad to see that no one was jumping in.
We continued (using the motor now) to an open area where we suited up and got a quick safety lesson before jumping into the water, which was warm and incredible clear. Our guide asked us to stay close to him. As we swam he pointed out coral, fish, anemone, starfish, and giant clams. We definitely wished we had underwater cameras! Nate was a little nervous at first but he got the hang of and really took to the water. Since the water was so clear, sometimes I ditched the snorkel, held my breath, and dove as deep as I could (without letting my ears explode from the pressure) to get a closer look at something on the bottom.
I don't know how long we were in the water - I could have kept swimming for hours - but soon the guide called to us to get back into the boat. It was time for lunch! On the way we floated past some of the most incredibly beautiful islands and lagoons I have ever seen.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PZ42ca-0yKc&list=HL1351893304&feature=mh_lolz
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HLPPl-0s83I
Next we went to an equally beautiful beach where we dropped anchor for lunch. While the crew was setting up the grill, Nate and I explored the island and I did some more swimming. We were told later that this island is where the resort holds weddings, and we could see why.
Lunch:
Grilled beef, chicken, and whole snapper, salad, spiral pasta with marinara, spice cake
After lunch we sailed back, thanked and tipped our crew, and went to the bungalow to shower before a pre-supper stroll down the beach to the neighboring village. I covered up, not knowing just how close to the village we would actually get. I wore white linen pants and a pink linen button-down. The beach was mostly rock that had been worn down by the tide but was still extremely craggy. It was very difficult to walk in some places. There were remnants of the day's fishing activities, including fish guts and bait, left behind on the rocks. Some children and dogs played nearby, and we could see smoke rising from some of the huts. As we turned to walk back we heard shouting and saw our guide running toward us. He lived in the village and pointed to his hut. We chatted with him one last time before saying goodbye again.
Back at the resort we sat by the pool having drinks and playing cards while we watched the sun set. When it was time for supper we were greeted by a waiter who had yet another surprise for us. This time we had a private table in a little tree house overlooking the ocean. Later Jean came by with a bottle of champagne for us. We are spoiled!
Supper:
Appetizers of shrimp, sausage, and tomato kebabs, vegetable cakes, delicious mango salsa on both; followed by leek and potato soup; dinner rolls with butter, fish and fried potato wedges; champagne and wine; and I know we had dessert but I was pretty tipsy by the end of the meal and I don't remember what it was!
No comments:
Post a Comment